Ikk2-mediated inflammatory activation of arterial endothelial cells promotes the development and progression of atherosclerosis

Inflammatory activation of endothelial cells is considered to be the first step in the development of atherosclerosis. Here, we determined the consequences of chronic endothelial NF-?B activation on the development and progression of atherosclerosis as well as plaque regression. Overall design: We established a conditional transgenic mouse model, expressing a tamoxifen-inducible, constitutively active form of IKK2 exclusively in arterial endothelial cells (caIKK2EC mice). Mice were fed a Western-style diet and endothelial IKK2 was activated either at early or late stages of atherosclerosis. MRNA profile of whole aortas was generated by deep sequencing, using Illumina HiSeq3000/4000 instrument.